News

A career in painting is on the landscape for talented Dalbeattie student

Tuesday, 20 June, 2017

A talented young student artist from Dalbeattie in Dumfries and
Galloway will put his work under the limelight this week as his paintings go on
display in Aberdeen.

David Rae (21), who is studying Painting at Gray’s School of Art, has
unveiled the culmination of four years’ hard work at the annual Degree Show,
which runs until Saturday, June 24.

He is showcasing a selection of his work which is landscape-based and
focuses on his interests outside of his studies, predominantly sport-related.

“I always wanted to go to art school but more specifically I wanted to
focus solely on painting and this course gave me that opportunity,” he said.

“I loved the feeling of the place when I had my interview and I'm still
extremely pleased with Gray’s as my chosen Art School.

“My work has always been very landscape based, current influences often
include my interests outwith painting. Sport is a large theme in my work at the
present moment and some places from my childhood feature in certain paintings.”

He added: “I've really enjoyed the course, being on a course with only
15 - 20 others I think is perfect as you get to know everyone well but there's
still enough variation in the group. The progression through the years I feel
has been the perfect set up and I now feel very ready for degree show.”

For David, the highlights of his time at University have been the
opportunities to travel with his classmates and the chance to host an exhibition
in Edinburgh, where he sold one of his paintings.

“The study trips to different European cities have all been extremely
good. The company is always good and it's nice to get time away from the Uni
environment and also see different parts of the world you may not necessarily
choose to visit yourself.

“The pre degree show in Edinburgh earlier this year was also very enjoyable and
managing to sell a painting was a massive bonus.”

David is now looking to the future where he hopes to refine his craft
and develop the skills he has learned at Gray’s.

“My plan is to hopefully do some residencies in the couple of years
after and hopefully in the long run have a successful practice as an artist –
however, I'm very aware that that is much easier said than done.”

The Gray’s School of Art Degree Show, which is
sponsored by BP for the fourteenth year, runs from June 17 to 24 and will
showcase work by students of all disciplines.